subject: Fork Truck Information And Fork Lift Training [print this page] A fork truck is a huge piece of machinery which is used in large distribution centres and warehouses to maneuver heavy loads. The fork truck lifts the heavy load which is usually placed on top of a pallet although different platforms can also be used. Once the fork truck lifts the heavy load using the forks of the machine it can then be driven by the operator to a specific place. Fork trucks can be used to move loads from one place to another onsite or to unload a truck for example. A fork truck has become one of the most pivotal pieces of equipment for many businesses and industries and many companies could not operate or run without the use of a fork truck. Companies have the option of either buying a brand new fork truck for their own use or they can use a fork lift truck hire company to hire one. If the company is fairly new they may not have the initial outlay to buy a new fork truck and so the options of hiring one can be very beneficial.
Fork Truck Components
A fork truck is made of several compartments including the forks at the front, the carriage which the forks are attached to, the cab where the operator sits and controls the machine, the truck frame which is the structure of the fork truck to which all the other components are attached to, the power source which is usually a combustion engine but other sources can be sued such as battery operated, and additional attachments can be fitted on to the front to accommodate for different loads.
Operating a Fork Truck
Training needs to be given to any person operating a fork truck by a qualified instructor. It is also required that the fork truck undergoes regular checks on a daily basis and a more thorough examination on a weekly and monthly basis. These checks are mandatory for safety reasons the checks include the brakes, the forks, the engine and so on.
To operate a fork lift truck in the UK proper training is required by a qualified instructor but no actual license is necessary. A fork lift truck is a very dangerous piece of machinery which if used incorrectly can cause serious damage to the operator, people in the surrounding area, and to property onsite. Before a worker should operate a fork lift truck the employer should provide adequate training resulting in the person feeling confident and knowledgeable about using the forktruck and its features. Many employers insist on training their employees using the fork lift because in the event of an accident the employer can show that they went to measures to train the operator properly.
Details of Fork Lift Training Courses
The training for a fork lift truck is carried out by an external source who will be a member to one of the Fork Lift organisations such as R.T.I.T.B (Road Transport Industry Training Board LTD). These organisations state that retraining needs to be given every 3 to 5 years. This retraining is to ensure the operator has not picked up any bad habits along the way and safety precautions can be reinforced. Fork lift training is sectioned into four categories including Refresher, Conversion, Semi Experienced, and Novice. The Refresher course is for people who have their initial fork lift certificate but need to be brought up to date with new regulations and laws. The Conversion course is for people who have trained to use a particular type of fork lift truck and now needs to be trained using a different model. Semi Experienced is for people who know how to use a fork lift truck but have not been certified. Lastly the Novice course is for people who have never operated a fork lift truck before.
Depending on the type of course can depend on the amount of time the course lasts, for example the Refresher course is usually a day and the Novice course can last for up to 5 days.
